Happy Chinese New Year 2021
Chinese New Year 2021, the most celebrated traditional day of the Chinese is commencing. It’s the Year of the Ox! According to the Chinese calendar, the year of 2021 is the year of ox (metal Ox) Also known as the spring festival, this age-old celebration is deeply related to the Chinese myths. It is the longest festival holiday for the Chinese around the globe.
The Ox mentioned in the very name of the festival denotes the second zodiac animal. The Chinese lunar calendar is associated with the Chinese zodiac, which has 12 animal signs: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each animal represents a year in a 12- year cycle, beginning on Chinese New Year’s Day. There are countless myths describing the origin of these zodiac orders. According to one such myth, Jade Emperor pronounced the decision of arranging the animals based on the order of their arrival. The ox was about to arrive first but the rat tricked into giving him a ride. Just as they reached the place, the rat jumped and landed ahead of the ox. In Chinese culture, Ox is valued because of its hard work and role in agriculture.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festival as per the lunar calendar. The Chinese people welcome the new year by wearing new clothes, giving money in red envelopes and sharing gifts and sweets among friends and family. The dragon dance is an attraction of this festive season. The Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the New Year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the New Year is called the Lantern Festival. In 2021, the New Year starts on Feb 11th and ends on 26th Feb.
Each new year gifted me with new experiences and memories to cherish. The festival always reminds me of certain things.
To begin with, it’s the
Long Holidays. Even though the festival lasts only for fifteen days most of the factories and workplaces close down for nearly a month. Precisely, the world’s major production stops for days. Due to the heavy immigration that happens during the period, the flight, hotel rates etc. hike up.
Red Color – During the festival days, the color red dominate all over the place. Red here is associated with joy and happiness and it is also believed that the colour red can scare away evil spirits and bad fortune. While the streets are lit with red lanterns, the offices and homes are filled with red-coloured decorations, flowers etc. The exchange of red envelopes between the staffs in a workplace, married couples to unmarried couples and elders to children is a common practice in China. I receive and also share Hongbao – the red envelope with my team here.
Food – The delectable food items served on these days especially on the new year eve is really something to look forward to. It’s not only a mere festival dinner but an occasion of family gathering and cherishing. The whole of a fish, chicken, dumplings, noodles, oranges and pomelos are some of the musts include food items in the dinner. This delicious dinner is always a reason to be excited about the Chinese New year.
Flowers indicate growth. Chinese people welcome the new year with flowers. People walking through the streets with a bunch of flowers in hand and houses decorated with flowers are a common picture here. The highest sale of flowers occurs during these periods.
Orange Trees – Just like flowers and red colour, orange trees are also a part of the Chinese tradition. The colour orange symbolizes gold that brings good luck and wealth. Most of the offices and homes during this time has a miniature of orange trees in the front. Money trees are also used instead of this.
Fireworks – Sleep is always a myth during these new year celebration days. Apart from the excitement of the season, it is the fireworks that keep the sleep away. The sky on these days are filled with fireworks of different colour and varieties. The stunning fireworks excite children and adults equally. Big cities like Hong Kong, Shanghai hosts fireworks show.
People born in the Year of the OX are hard workers in the background, intelligent and reliable, but never demanding praise. People who born in 1925,37,49,61,73,85,97,2009,2021, this is your year..!
Want to know more about these animal signs? Visit: –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_zodiac
Wishing you all kind of good fortunes and happiness in the coming year..
Happy Chinese New Year ! Gong Xi Fa Cai ! Xin Nian Kuai Le ! 新年快乐
All the best
Informative
Thanks for sharing this informative details. I always seeing this festival , didn’t know this much meaningful and other connections .